Open the Door to Liberty

by Anne Rockwell, R. Gregory Christie

The story of revolution leaderToussaint L'Ouverture of St. Domingue (now Haiti).

The island now known as Haiti was once a French colony called St. Domingue, where white plantation owners forced hundreds of thousands of African slaves to farm sugar cane. Toussaint L'Ouverture was one of those slaves . . . but not for long. The day would come when L'Ouverture would lead his island's slaves into a revolution for freedom, and his efforts would influence the course of world history.

  • Format: eBook
  • ISBN-13/ EAN: 9780547562070
  • ISBN-10: 0547562071
  • Pages: 80
  • Publication Date: 01/12/2009
About the Book
About the Authors
Reviews
  • About the Book

    The story of revolution leaderToussaint L'Ouverture of St. Domingue (now Haiti).

    The island now known as Haiti was once a French colony called St. Domingue, where white plantation owners forced hundreds of thousands of African slaves to farm sugar cane. Toussaint L'Ouverture was one of those slaves . . . but not for long. The day would come when L'Ouverture would lead his island's slaves into a revolution for freedom, and his efforts would influence the course of world history.

  • About the Author

    Anne Rockwell

    ANNE ROCKWELL is the author of hundreds of books for children, including the distinguished picture book biography Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth, an ALA Notable Children's Book. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut. Visit her website at www.annerockwell.com.  

    R. Gregory Christie

    R. Gregory Christie is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner and a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award recipient. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. Please visit his website to learn more: www.gas-art.com.

  • Excerpts
  • Reviews

    "Christie’s stirring illustrations, including the cover painting of a triumphant L’Ouverture surrounded by his people, complement the dramatic tale."--Kirkus Reviews

    "In this eye-opening biography, Rockwell makes a strong case that Toussaint L’Ouverture is one of the most overlooked heroes of the eighteenth century . . . Evocative paintings in primary colors help tell the story (the rendition of Toussaint in prison is especially poignant), while biographies and source notes make up the excellent back matter."--Booklist

    "Altogether, this is a beautiful and captivating portrait of a leader whose story will probably be unfamiliar to most youngsters."--School Library Journal, starred review

    "Rockwell succeeds admirably in explaining a complicated life, and the American-primitive-style drawings are a good match."--New York Times Book Review Bookshelf

    "The brevity of the text and Christie's moving and sophisticated paintings . . . help bring the challenging political chaos within the reach of a young audience."--The Bulletin

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